Tuesday, December 4, 2007

please don't call me again, that is not my name

So hubby and I moved into this apartment in July, and got a phone number. Most "new" phone numbers nowadays are recycled, and ours recently belonged to someone, and we started getting a BUNCH of calls that were obviously from debts gone bad from the prior phone number owner.

I answered the ones I could, and they'd take me off their list w/ no problem once I explained that I am not so and so. Occasionally I'd get a phone message that was automated, and which left me a phone number to call back. One of these happened the other day and I happened to answer it so I could get the whole number (it wouldn't get it all on my machine for some reason).

So I called. The rep wanted my name and zip code, so I gave it to them and said but I'm not the person you're looking for, etc. He said something about putting a block on the file until they get updated information. He put me on hold for a bit, then came back and said that they're sending out a letter to that person requesting updated info, but that they can't stop the calls because they're automated.

O....kay..... so I say (very calmly, I might add), "And what happens if you can't get a hold of her? Am I to just receive these calls from now until forever? Obviously this is a debt you're trying to collect on, right?" He somewhat weakly said "yes." lol. I continued, "I am not the person you are looking for and do not want to receive these calls anymore. Continuing to call me is a violation of the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act."

(That is Dave Ramsey's "magic phrase" I was talking about. lol. I've listened to his radio show for long enough that I knew it applied in this situation.)

So the guy is silent for a minute and then puts me on hold again. Then when he comes back, just like magic, he says "OK I've put in a request to get these calls to stop going to you, but it does take 5 business days for it to be completed, so if you get a call in the next 5 days then please just understand that we are working on it."

Yay. :) They can't be stopped b/c they're automated, my FOOT! lol. There is always a way for them to be stopped.

Now I may have to call a bank. I get "automated" calls from them, too, but only about once every 3 weeks. Just enough to annoy me.

1 comment:

Margaret said...

We still get calls after 10 months for the Robertsons. The bummer is that his first name is Kevin too, so it can be reallly confusing. Their pediatrician has an automated service that calls to remind them about vaccincations. And lots of people that just sound like friends or family.

How could you change your number and not tell your family and friends... 10 months later!!

One time the gentleman even remarked to Kevin, my hubby, that we "must not have had the number very long." We should have commented back that "they must not call very often."

The really kicker is when it is a telemarketer and they change gears and ask "well are you the lady of the house." It's like, hello, the Robertson's aren't interested and neither are we.

Wow, that was fun to rant about : )